I'm curious as to how pedaling an Outback Mirage compares with riding a bicycle. Would you say it's easier than a bicycle/less energy used? My right knee kinda crunches when I pedal a bike and I'm just wondering if it would crunch if I pedal the kayak. As I mentioned in my other post, I can't test-drive one because there are no dealers in Alaska, so I'm trying to learn as much as I can in forums. Maybe Hobie can work on getting a dealership up here...there's a ton of outdoors people.

I don't think a stair stepper would be a good test. I've got knee issues (need a knee replacement) and cannot use a stair stepper due to the activity being entirely weight bearing. OTOH, I CAN ride my recumbent bicycle as long as the grade isn't too steep for too long, and I CAN pedal my Sport, as well. A nice feature (unlike bicycling) is that you can reduce the range of motion by using shorter strokes if that is friendlier to your knees. I would think the new turbo fins might be undesirable since they put more torque on your knees. Perhaps a better health club test would be using a seated leg press machine with light resistance.

Hey MatO,
Welcome to the Hobie Forum. As AlohaDan suggested, the action is closest to what you would get from a recumbent bike. But if you are not used to pedaling or biking, it will give you a good lower body workout in short order so that you will be feeling it the next day. Have fun!
Dick

I've never ridden a recumbent but if you make circular motion with your feet when pedaling...then as I said earlier, it is nothing like pedaling the MirageDrive.

I've climbed to the moon and back on a Stairmaster machine and I still say it is very close to the same motion as pedaling the Hobie...although I agree that you are not supporting your weight when pedaling like you are when climbing...

So in effect, pedaling the MirageDrive is the same motion as a Stairmaster but easier!

Would one of you post a short video of you pedaling a Hobie? I'd like to focus on the legs, and the action and angle of the knees. If I could see exactly how the legs work, I could determine whether or not I could use one, without affecting my knee. Or maybe you could supply a link that would allow me to look at a video of someone actively pedaling one. Thanks.